Solved a pet-peeve and added some colour. Mountain Hatch tailgate surface went in tonight.

Having a roof-height canopy, I’m always kneeling on the tailgate to get stuff in and out of the back. I’ve worked out of pickups with canopies for decades, and kneeling on the tailgate ribs has always annoyed the shit outta me. On work trucks I usually end up putting some rubber or thin plywood down. This also makes a better work surface. Helps with tailgate parties too.

Anyways......it’s pretty obvious all the benefits. I decided I’d go “high class” for my personal truck and got the food-grade Mountain Hatch surface. Truly plug-and play. 5 minutes to install. It replaces the OEM composite surface.

I decided to order it in a colour to be fun. The red looks great in the sun. Looks a bit pink in this night shot, but you get the idea.

My knees are happy. Expensive perhaps, but very nicely manufactured.

I would guess it’s about 2 times heavier than the stock surface, but the tailgate dampers still slow-open the tailgate. I recall it weighs 16lbs. I think the stock is probably around 8 lbs.

 

That looks nice!

 

Been really considering getting one

 

Here’s a link for anyone looking for one of these. Yes it comes in black.

https://mountainhatch.org/shop?olsP...ntain-hatch-for-2005-2020-toyota-tacoma-1001b

 

It doesn’t disappoint. Certainly a splurge more than a dire need. I can’t speak to long-term durability, but it’s so thick I can’t really imagine is wearing out or cracking.

 

I bought from the other company (no logo and no cup holders which I actually prefer and it was slightly cheaper) and agree that the ribs had to go whether crawling in with a cap on or just sitting on the tailgate. It does drop the tailgate faster with the weight and more effort to close.

 

It looks nice imo

 

Who else is making these? I’m not a sponsored buyer , so feel free to add other options to this thread.

 

That price.... lololololololol

 

Thanks.

 

I know I know. Sometimes a fella has to open up his wallet to keep the economy churning.

 

definitely and act of kindness on your part.

Saint locker!

 

Mountain hatch kinda seems like a $200 piece of plastic. Help me understand.

 

I dabble in manufacturing, so I can appreciate the difference between plastics. Not trying to justify what you should pay, but this is a solid hunk of nylon and likely was not a cheap piece of stock before they ran it through their CNC.

Anyways........if you paid yourself properly for your time, and bought the same grade of nylon, you likely could not make it for cheaper than they sell it for.

it’s a splurge for sure, but I’ve paid more for stupider things than this. I doubt I’ll regret it, ever.

 

It's red .

 

Aww man. I knew I’d start something with this thread.

All I can say in defence of my splurge, is it’s installed on a TRD OR and not a PRO, so when you’re booting me in the nuts over the price, go easy with that in mind.

 

No criticism from me...I want one too.

 

I'm diggin it.

 

Looks awesome bro! Forsure adding to my list of 2 do thanks for the pics and idea!